Hundreds showed up for rallies all along N. Kalaheo Ave. this morning to demonstrate just how hard it is to get to the beach these days. For that entire stretch of road, there is only one access route! The many other roads and pathways are blocked by locked gates or unwelcoming “no trespass” signs.

From Wailupe Circle to Paiko St. to the Portlock Gate, concerned residents are out on the street today to raise awareness about the lack of public rights-of-way to the beach.

Paiko St. is a perfect example. It is home to the alone public access route between Kawaikui Park and Kuliouou Beach Park. This access route was graciously donated by Dr. Flowers, who also came out today to express his support for the community’s efforts.

For the number of residents living along Maunalua Bay, there needs to be more officially public access routes… otherwise people will start to make their own, which is a risk to public safety and creates ill-will with beach-front property owners.

People are sign-waving all along Kalanianaole Hwy. this morning with surfboards and fishing poles, kids and candy to show their support open beach access. And they are getting lots of support in return. “We’re getting lots of shakas, lots of horn-honking,” said Annmarie of the Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, “I think it is really an eye-opener for people see us standing all along the street where there’s no beach access.”

The trolley just past Wailupe Circle on Kalanianaole Hwy. where gates for residents only deny the public access to these east shore surf spots.

The gates also hide the sad reality of shoreline armament all along the coast. Beach-front property owners have amputated the shore from the ocean by building seawalls and jetties on the edge of their property line.

To learn more about the effort to save public beach access on the East Shore of Honolulu, go to: www.LivableHawaiiKai.org

The trolley rounded the corner onto Ala Moana Boulevard and was greeted by whoops and calls from over 30 people–many in red shirts–waving signs in support of free and open access to Bowls!

One of the last publicly accessible surf spots on the town-side of Oahu, the Ala Wai Boat Harbor is the jump-in spot for three choice town breaks, including the Bowl.

But that could all change if the state goes through with a new parking plan that will turn the majority of parking there from free to pay-only. Going to the beach is a right that the public should not be forced to pay to enjoy.

Hawai’i's Statewide Beach Access Rally day began this morning with wet weather islands-wide!

The rain gently blessed our Beach Access Trolley this morning at 10:30 as it departed to raise awareness about the epidemic loss of public access routes to the beach all around the islands.

More than 40 people joined us for a rally and press conference this morning at the State Capitol that called on Hawaii’s elected leaders, beach-front property owners, and all ocean-lovers to work together to ensure our shorelines are protected, clean, and open to all.

We heard inspiring and motivating speeches from:

Rich Figel, Beach Access Hawaii

Annmarie Kirk, Living Hawaii Kai Hui

Melissa Ling-Ing, Commonground Hawaii

Suzanne Frazer, B.E.A.C.H.

Peter Cole, Surfrider Foundation

Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kauai

Capitol protesters then packed the decorated trolley and headed to the first stop: the Ala Wai Boat Harbor… where a new parking plan will force people to pay to go beach. Auwe!

We’re trying something new! We hope that through this blog, we’ll be able to get information and updates to you better and faster than ever!

For a start, we’ll be live-blogging today’s Hawai’i's islands-wide Beach Access Protest Day. Marti will be (wo)manning the computer, as Bryna, Miwa and rally organizers across Hawaii call and email in updates and pictures!

This blog is a project of the staff at KAHEA: the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance! Aloha and mahalo for coming by!